Plum Tree Named &#39;Suplumfortynine&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct plum tree variety,  Prunus salicina,  cv. . ‘Suplumfortynine’ is characterized by fruit having deep red flesh and a cling stone. The fruit is medium in sugar and has medium-low acidity. The fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfortynine’ is also moderate in juice and has a sweet-mild flavor. The date of the harvest of the fruit of the new variety is earlier than for ‘Early Queen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,583) and ‘Flavorosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,285). The fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfortynine’ has fruit with deep red flesh compared to yellow colored fruit of ‘Early Queen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,583). The fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfortynine’ has red-dappled colored skin compared to dark purple skin of ‘Flavorosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,285).

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES CLAIMED

Prunus salicina

VARIETY DENOMINATION ‘Suplumfortynine’ BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the discovery and asexual propagation of a new and distinct variety of plum, Prunus salicina cv. ‘Suplumfortynine’. The new variety was first originated by hybridization by Terry A. Bacon as breeder number ‘PL1346RZ’.

The new variety ‘Suplumfortynine’ is characterized by having fruit with deep red flesh and a cling stone. The fruit is medium in sugar and has medium-low acidity. The fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfortynine’ is also moderate in juice and has a sweet-mild flavor.

The seed parent is ‘Suplumthirtyseven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,690), and the pollen parent is ‘PL526YB’ (unpatented breeding variety). The parent varieties were first crossed in February 2009, with the date of first sowing being March 2010, and the date of first flowering being February 2011. The new plum variety ‘Suplumfortynine’ was first asexually propagated by Terry Bacon near Wasco, Kern County, Calif. in January 2012 by grafting.

The new variety ‘Suplumfortynine’ is distinguished from its seed parent ‘Suplumthirtyseven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,690) in that the new variety ‘Suplumfortynine’ has fruit with deep red flesh while the fruit of ‘Suplumthirtyseven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,690) has yellow flesh.

The new variety ‘Suplumfortynine’ is distinguished from its seed parent ‘PL526YB’ (unpatented breeding variety) in that the new variety ‘Suplumfortynine’ has fruit with deep red flesh while the fruit of ‘PL526YB’ (unpatented breeding variety) has yellow flesh.

The fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfortynine’ harvest starts May 22 in Wasco, Calif. while ‘Early Queen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,583) harvest starts May 28. Additionally, the new variety ‘Suplumfortynine’ has while fruit with deep red flesh ‘Early Queen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,583) has yellow flesh. The new variety ‘Suplumfortynine’ has fruit with deep red flesh similar to ‘Flavorosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,285) but the skin color of the new variety ‘Suplumfortynine’ is red-dapple colored while ‘Flavorosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,285) skin color is dark purple. The new variety ‘Suplumfortynine’ harvest is on May 22 while ‘Flavorosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,285) harvest is on May 25.

The new variety ‘Suplumfortynine’ has been shown to maintain its distinguishing characteristics through successive asexual propagations by, for example, grafting and budding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration FIG. 1 shows typical specimens of the foliage and fruit of the present new plum variety ‘Suplumfortynine’. The illustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, a view of the fruit as a whole, the stone as a whole, and a sectional view of a fruit divided across its suture plane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type. The photographs depicts fruit and vegetative growth from a three year old tree?

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small letter signify that the name of that color, as used in common speech is aptly descriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designate values based upon the R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 1986.

The descriptive matter which follows pertains to 3 year old ‘Suplumfortynine’ plants, grown in the vicinity of Wasco, Kern County, Calif., during 2014 and is believed to apply to plants of the variety grown under similar conditions of soil and climate elsewhere.

-   Tree:     -   -   General.—(Measurements taken on a 3 year old tree unless             otherwise noted.) Size: Medium, reaches a height of             approximately 3 meters including normal pruning. Spread:             Approximately 3 meters. Vigor: Medium, growth of about 1.8 m             to 2 m in height the first growing season. Growth:             Semi-upright. Productivity: Productive. Form: Vase formed.             Bearer: Regular. Fertility: Unknown. Canopy density: Medium.             Hardiness: Hardy in all fruit growing areas of California.             Winter chilling requirement is approximately 700 hours at or             below 7.2° C. Disease resistance/susceptibility: Under close             observation in Kern County, California, no particular             plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been             observed. Insect Resistance/Susceptibility: Under close             observation in Kern County, California, no particular             plant/fruit insect resistance/susceptibility has been             observed.         -   Trunk.—(Measurements at approximately 30 cm above soil line             on mature tree) Length: 45cm Diameter: Approximately 14 cm.             Texture: Medium shaggy, increases with age of tree. Trunk             color: About Medium Greyed-Green 198B on older, weathered             wood and about Medium Greyed-Orange 173B in younger, less             weathered wood.         -   Branches.—(Measurements at approximately 90 cm above soil             line.) Length: 2 m Size: Diameter approximately 10 cm.             Texture: Medium, Shaggy. Color: Varying between about Medium             Greyed-Green 198B to about Medium Greyed-Orange173B,             becoming darker with age. Lenticels: Present.         -   Lenticels.—Number: Medium. About 1/ cm2Density: About 2/cm2.             Color: About Medium Grey-Brown 199B. Size: Medium,             approximately 3 mm×2 mm.         -   Flowering shoots.—(Data taken in June at mid-point of             current season growth.) Size: Average diameter approximately             5 mm. Color: Topside: About Medium Green 141 C with             highlights of about Medium Greyed-Red 180C. Underside: About             Medium Green 141C. Internode Length: Medium; approximately             2 cm. Midway on flowering shoot. Flowering Shoot Lenticels:             Moderate amount. 3/ cm2 Color: About Light Greyed-Orange             164C. Diameter: Approximately 0.5 mm. Flowering Shoot Leaf             Buds: Shape: Conical. Width: Approximately 1.5 mm. Length:             Approximately 2 mm. Color: About Medium Greyed-Orange 166C.             Texture: Smooth Flowering Shoot Flower Buds: Shape: Ovoid.             Width: Approximately 1.1 mm. Length: Approximately 2 mm.             Color: About Medium Greyed-Orange 166C. Number of buds per             node: 2-4. Texture: Smooth Density of buds: Medium. Flower             bud distribution: On spurs and one year old shoots and older             wood. Ratio of wood (leaf) buds to flowering buds: 1/2 on             nodes. Anthocyanin intensity: Slightly on upper potion of             shoots Spur length: Usually 9 mm Vegetative bud size: Length             3 mm, width 2 mm Position of vegetative bud in relation to             shoot: Slightly held out. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaves.—(Data taken in June 10 on fully expanded leaves at             mid-point of the current season growth.) Average length:             Medium; approximately 80 mm without petiole. Average width:             Medium; approximately 41 mm. Thickness: Medium. 1 mm Color:             Upper surface: About Medium Green 137A. Lower surface: About             Medium Green 138A. Form: Broad obovate. Tip: Cuspidate.             Base: V-shaped. Margin: Crenate. Venation: Pinately net             veined. Vein Color: About Medium Green 141C. Surface             Texture: Smooth both upper and lower surfaces Leaf blade             (Ratio of length to width): Medium, about 2:1. Shape in the             cross section: Concave. Angle at apex: Small. Profile: Up             folded. Leaf blade tip: Curved downwardly. Angle of tip:             Acute. Undulation of margin: Slight. Glossiness of upper             side: Slight Density of pubescence of lower side. Absent.         -   Petiole.—Average Length: Short; approximately 8 mm. Average             Diameter: Medium, approximately 2 mm. Color: About Medium             Green 146D with highlights of about Medium Greyed-Red 180C.             Thickness: Medium, approximately 2 mm. Texture: Smooth             Length: 11 mm.         -   Stipules.—Number/Leaf bud: Approximately 0-2 per leaf bud             when present. Typical length: Approximately 8 mm. Color:             About Medium Yellow-Green 147C. Persistence: Falls off.             Texture (upper): smooth upper and lower surfaces.         -   Leaf glands.—Average number: Approximately 0-2, usually 2             Form: Globose. Positioning: Opposite, located near the top             of the petiole. Size: About 1×1 mm Color: About Medium             Greyed-Orange 166C. -   Flowers:     -   -   General.—Flower Blooming Period: First bloom: Approximately             February 6 in Wasco, Calif. Full bloom: Approximately             February 10 in Wasco, Calif. Location of first bloom: Bottom             of third canopy. Location of full bloom: Mid-section of the             canopy. Duration of Bloom: Medium; approximately 10 days.             Diameter of fully opened flower: Medium, approximately             14 mm. Flower aroma: Slight. Shape: Rosaceous.         -   Peduncle.—Length: Medium; approximately 8 mm. Diameter:             Medium; approximately 1.2 mm. Color: About Medium             Yellow-Green 144B. Pubescence: Absent.         -   Petals.—Number: 5. Arrangement: Overlapping. Length:             Approximately 5 mm. Diameter: Approximately 5 mm. Shape:             Circular. Apex Shape: Rounded. Base Shape: Narrows at point             of attachment. Color of inner and outer surface: About White             155B. Surface Texture: Smooth. Margins: Slightly undulating,             entire. Frequency of flowers with double petals: None. Claw             length: Short, 2 mm. Margin waviness: Medium. Base angle:             Medium. Division of upper margin: Entire. Pubescence of             inner surface: Absent. Pubescence of outer surface: Absent.         -   Sepals.—Number: 5. Length: Approximately 3 mm. Diameter:             Approximately 3 mm. Shape: Triangular. Color: About Light             Yellow-Green 144D. Surface Texture: Smooth. Margins: Finely             toothed. Positioning: Adpressed to petals. Pubescence of             inner surface: Absent. Pubescence of outer surface: Absent.             Frequency of flowers with double sepals: None.         -   Stamens.—Number: Usually 26-32, average 29. Average Length:             About 3-6 mm, average about 5mm. Filament Color: About White             155B. Anther Color: About Light Yellow-Orange 18D, becoming             dark as it ages to Dark Yellow-Orange 22A. Flower Pollen             Color: About Dark Yellow-Orange 22A. Position: Perigynous.         -   Pistil.—Color: Yellow-Green 144C Number: Usually one.             Average Length: Approximately 8 mm. Ovary Diameter:             Approximately 1 mm. Pubescence: None. Stigma Extension in             Comparison to Anthers: Usually below. Style Frequency of             Supplementary Pistils: Few.         -   Flower-buds.—Hardiness: Somewhat hardy.         -   Receptacle.—Depth: Medium, 4 mm Pubescence of inner surface:             Absent. Pubescence of outer surface: Absent.         -   Ovary.—Color: Yellow-Green 144C.         -   Style.—Pubescence (of base): Absent. -   Fruit:     -   -   General.—(Description taken near Wasco, Kern County, Calif.             on May 26) Date of first pick: Approximately May 22. Date of             last pick: Approximately June 1. Maturity when described:             Firm. Season Ripening: Very early. Starting about May 22 and             continuing until June 1. Position of maximum diameter:             Towards the middle. Symmetry about the suture: Symmetric.             Shape of base: Flat.         -   Size.—Length (Stem End to Apex): Approximately 58 mm.             Diameter in Line with Suture Plane: Approximately 63 mm.             Diameter Perpendicular to Suture Plane: Approximately 63 mm.             Average Weight: Approximately 118 gm.         -   Form.—Viewed from Apex: Rounded. Viewed from Side, Facing             Suture: Rounded. Viewed from Side, Perpendicular to Suture:             Rounded.         -   Apex shape.—Rounded.         -   Fruit stem cavity.—Shape: Rounded. Depth: Shallow;             Approximately 7 mm. Breadth: Approximately 6 mm. Width:             Medium, 14 mm.         -   Fruit stem.—Length: Medium; approximately 8 mm. Diameter:             Approximately 3 mm. Color: About Light-Yellow-Green 147D.             Adherence to Stone: Strong.         -   Fruit skin.—Thickness: Medium, 0.8 mm. Adherence to Flesh:             Strong. Surface Texture: Smooth. Pubescence: None. Bloom:             Light. Ground color: About Medium Greyed-Red 184A where             visible. Overcolor: About Dark Greyed-Purple 187A. Relative             area of overcolor: Nearly 100% Pattern of overcolor: Solid             Taste: Midly-tart. Reticulation: Absent. Roughness: Absent.             Tenacity: Tenacious to flesh Tendency to crack: Slight to             none in wet season.         -   Flesh.—Ripens: Evenly. Texture: Firm-juicy. Fibers: Few.             Flavor: Sweet-mild. Brix: Approximately 16°. Juice:             Moderate. Aroma: Slight. Anthocyanin color around stone:             About Dark Red 46A. Anthocyanin color of flesh: Strongly             expressed throughout evenly. Amygdalin: Wanting Acidity:             Medium-low. Sugar content: High. Eating quality: Good.             Stone/Flesh Ratio: Small, about 1:98. Firmness: Medium.         -   Pit cavity size.—Length: Approximately 25 mm Diameter             perpendicular to Suture Plane: Approximately 20 mm. Diameter             in line with Suture: Approximately 9 mm. Color: About Dark             Red 46A.         -   Fruit use.—Fresh market.         -   Fruit shipping and keeping quality.—Good.         -   Stone.—Stone Freeness: Cling over the entire surface. Degree             of Adherence to Flesh: Strong. Stone Size: Size: Medium Size             compared to Fruit: Small. Length: Medium, approximately             25 mm. Diameter in line with suture plan: Approximately             20 mm. Diameter perpendicular to suture plane: Approximately             9 mm. Width of Stalk End: Medium, Approximately 3 cm. Angle             of Stalk end: Right angle. Hilum: Oval. Stone Form Viewed             from side: Oval with flat base and pointed apex. Viewed from             ventral end: Flattened. Viewed from Stem end: Oval. Stone             Shape: Base shape: Nearly straight. Apex shape: Pointed.             Hilum: Oval. Stone Surface: Irregularly furrowed and pitted             throughout. Stone Halves: Nearly symmetrical. Stone Ridges:             Rounded throughout. Stone Outgrowing Keel: Well developed.             Stone Tendency to Split: None in wet season. Stone Color:             About Medium Greyed-Orange 164C. Position of maximum:             Middle. Sides: Somewhat equal. Pits: Irregular, shallow.             Ventrical Edge: Thin with slight wing toward middle. Dorsal             Edge: Ridges on either side, throughout. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct plum tree as herein described and illustrated. 